It has yet to be confirmed whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Bangkok next month, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said after the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday.
Mr Don was responding to reporters' questions about Mr Putin's participation in the Nov 18-19 summit in Bangkok, as earlier reported.
The foreign minister said he knew Mr Putin wanted to attend the meeting. However, there might be other issues the Russian leader had to handle. His attendance would also involve Mr Putin travelling out of Russia, and this would require a lot of preparation, Mr Don said.
It was reported in the middle of last week that Mr Putin had accepted Thailand's invitation to attend the Apec summit.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, Anucha Nakasai, said that this would be the first on-site Apec meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic.
When asked to confirm which delegates would attend the summit, he said that the line-up of dignitaries had yet to be finalised and the government was still coordinating with each economic member.
Mr Anucha was speaking yesterday after presiding over the launch of an Apec 2022 Exhibition named "Apec Thailand 2022: Open. Connect. Balance. For Infinite Opportunity" at Suvarnabhumi airport.
The exhibition was organised by the Government Public Relations Department and aims to stress the country's readiness to act as host of this year's summit.
He said the exhibition is part of a welcoming process that will include a number of similar activities and events prior to the leaders' arrival.
The exhibition was arranged at Row W on the 4th floor of the airport and will run until Dec 3.
